Countries including Thailand boasted they were making progress on gay and trans rights but the United Arab Group said they were against the whole idea of sexual orientation and gender identity.

Ban was keen to praise the commission for holding the debate and wants more done.

In a wide-ranging speech, he listed work in this area as one of ‘five clear challenges that warrant your attention’.

He told the delegates: ‘In particular, I welcome the groundbreaking, first-ever intergovernmental discussion, in March this year, on discrimination and violence based on sexual orientation and gender identity.

‘This should not be a one-time event. I urge you to deepen your engagement on this issue so that protection and dignity truly reach all members of the human family.’

He went on to add that more should also be done on women’s rights.

‘Unleashing the power of women will usher in a new era of respect for human rights,’ he explained to the diplomats.

His comments come at a time of increasing diplomatic debate and action around gay and trans rights by the UN, EU, US State Department and others.